Safety razor with replaceable blade and carrier assembly

ABSTRACT

A handle mounts a laterally elongated head which forms a razor blade backing support and guard. The head is provided at one end with a pivot connection for detachably mounting one end of a laterally elongated razor blade carrier to which a razor blade of the wafer type is secured. The head and carrier thus may pivot relative one to the other to dispose the carrier over the head. The ends of the head and carrier opposite the pivot connection are provided with interengaging catch components by which the carrier is secured releasably over the backing support of the head, with the razor blade interposed between them. When the blade is no longer usable, the carrier and blade assembly is detached from the head, discarded and replaced with a new assembly.

United States Patent Cerino Jan. 21, 1975 [76] Inventor: Michael J. Cerino, 2468 Sunset Dr.,

Ventura, Calif. 93003 [22] Filed: Oct. 12, 1972 [21] App'.. No.: 296,990

[52] US. Cl 30/58, 30/75, 30/84, 30/402 [51] Int. Cl B26b 21/30, B26b 21/24 [58] Field of Search 30/40, 40.2, 51, 58-61, 30/63, 71, 75, 85, 84; 16/158, 172, 173

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 715,034 12/1902 Douglass 16/172 1,550,178 8/1925 Logan 30/84 X 1,808,480 6/1931 Rogers 30/75 2,662,281 12/1953 Cerino v 30/58 3,331,129 7/1967 Goudie 30/84 X Primary Examiner-Al Lawrence Smith Assistant Examiner-Gary L. Smith Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Oliver D. Olson [5 7] ABSTRACT A handle mounts a laterally elongated head which forms a razor blade backing support and guard. The head is provided at one end with a pivot connection for detachably mounting one end of a laterally elongated razor blade carrier to which a razor blade of the wafer type is secured. The head and carrier thus may pivot relative one to the other to dispose the carrier over the head. The ends of the head and carrier opposite the pivot connection are provided with interengaging catch components by which the carrier is secured releasably over the backing support of the head, with the razor blade interposed between them. When the blade is no longer usable, the carrier and blade assembly is detached from the head, discarded and replaced with a new assembly.

2 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to safety razors, and more particularly to a safety razor construction which represents an improvement over my earlier safety razor described and claimed in my earlier patent, US. Pat. No. 2,662,281.

The safety razor of my earlier patent provides for the permanent pivotal connection between a laterally elongated head and a laterally elongated blade carrier, with the razor blade being removable from the carrier for replacement of blades. The primary disadvantage of such construction resides in the diffculty presented to the user in installing a new blade in the carrier, properly aligned with the razor blade guard portion of the head. In this regard, the blade is provided at each of its opposite ends with a notch designed to receive positioning lugs located at the opposite ends of the carrier. The difficulty in aligning the notches with the positioning lugs is occasioned by the relatively small dimensions of the components, and the result frequently is manifest in the breaking of the blade, the dropping of the blade onto the floor or counter, the cutting of a finger during retrieval of the blade or in manipulating it onto the carrier, or other disconcerting factors.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In its basic concept, this invention provides a safety razor in which a razor blade and carrier assembly is mounted detachably on a razor blade head, for replacement of the assembly with another having a new blade.

It is by virtue of the foregoing basic concept that the principal objective of this invention is achieved; namely, to overcome the above described disadvantages of my prior safety razor.

Another important object of this invention is the provision of a safety razor of the class described in which the blade carrier may be made of an inexpensive and therefore expendable material which may be discarded with the used blade.

Still another important object of this invention is the provision of a safety razor of the class described which includes means for adjusting the cutting edge of the blade to predetermined positions of exposure relative to the guard, to accommodate a range of shaving characteristics.

A further important object of this invention is the provision of a container by which to package a razor blade of the class described together with a plurality of additional blade and carrier assemblies supported in convenient position for attachment to the razor head directly from the container.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of this invention will appear from the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing of preferred embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. I is a plan view of a safety razor embodying the features of this invention packaged in a container supporting a plurality of blade and carrier assemblies.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the safety razor shown in FIG. 1, with the blade and carrier assembly pivoted to the open position.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 33 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a foreshortened plan view, similar to FIG. 2, illustrating an alternative form of construction for maintaining the carrier in alignment with the head.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a razor blade constructed for association with the carrier shown in the preceding views.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The various components of the safety razor of this invention are quite similar to those of my earlier safety razor disclosed in my earlier patent identified hereinbefore. Thus, in the preferred embodiment illustrated, the razor includes a razor head which forms a front guard 10, a rear guard 12 and an intermediate razor blade backing support member 14. The backing support member is joined at its ends to the front guard by spacers l6 and 18, whereby to provide an elongated cleaning slot 20 therebetween.One end of the front and rear guards extends beyond the corresponding end of the backing support member to form spaced terminals 22 and 24 which mount the opposite ends of a pivot pin 26.

A laterally elongated razor blade carrier 28 is provided at one end with an offset open hook 30 arranged to releasably engage the pivot pin 26 (FIG. 3). The car rier thus is readily detachable from the head. However, when the carrier is joined to the head at the open hook and pivot pin, it may be pivoted between the open position illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 and the closed position illustrated in FIGHI. In this latter position, the carrier overlies the razor blade backing support member 14. The end of the carrier opposite the hook 30 is provided with an offset resilient clip 32 having a catch portion 34 adapted to snap over the projecting end 36 of the head, wherebyto secure the carrier releasably in operative position over the backing support member.

The carrier is provided with blade position lugs 38 and 40 formed on the offset hook 30 and clip 32, respectively. These lugs are adapted to receive notches 42 provided at the opposite ends of a razor blade 44. The notches are arranged in such manner as to position the cutting edge 44 of the blade properly at a predetermined position of exposure relative to the guard 10, when the carrier is in closed position.

Means is provided for securing the razor blade 44 substantially permanently to the carrier 28. This may be accomplished by bonding the blade directly to the carrier, as by means of adhesive, or by encapsulating the blade with a carrier made of synthetic resin, during the molding of the latter. In the preferred embodiment illustrated, the blade is secured to the carrier by spacing the lugs 38 and 40 apart a distance slightly less than the distance between the notches 42 in the blade.

It is to be noted here that the guards, the backing support member and the carrier preferably are curved in their longitudinal dimensions, as explained in my earlier patent. In this manner the flat wafer blade becomes curved when secured in place between the backing support member and the carrier. The curved blade exhibits no tendency to flex or chatter during the shaving operation. The blade has a firm feel against the skin and the incidence of chipping or cutting the skin ordinarily resulting from blade chatter is substantially eliminated.

Means preferably is associated with the carrier 28 and blade 44 to locate the cutting edge 44' of the blade selectively at any one of a plurality of predetermined positions of exposure relative to the guard 10. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the positioning lugs 38 and 40 may be located on the carrier at selected transverse positions, indicated by broken lines, so as to locate the cutting edge of the blade at various degrees of exposure relative to the guard. Thus, let it be assumed that the position of the lugs shown in full lines represents an intermediate, or normal position of exposure of the cutting edge for generally normal shaving characteristics. The more rearward location of the lugs, indicated by broken lines 38 and 40', will position the cutting edge of the blade more rearwardly relative to the guard and thus provide a light sahving characteristic, for more tender skin. The more forward position of the lugs, indicated by the broken lines 38" and 40", will position the cutting edge of the blade more forwardly relative to the guard to provide a greater degree of exposure of the blade and thus accomodate the shaving of a heavy beard.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, the notches 42 in the opposite ends of the blade 44 may be located at selected transverse positions, indicated by broken lines, to locate the cutting edge 44' at various degress of exposure relative to the guard, with the lugs 38 and 40 fixed at a predetermined position on the carrier. Thus, with the notches 42 located in the full line position, normal shaving characteristics are achieved. With the notches located more forward toward the cutting edge 44', as indicated by the broken lines 42', a light shaving characteristic is achieved. with the notches located more rearward, as indicated by the broken lines 42", the cutting edge is disposed more forwardly relative to the guard to accommodate the shaving of a heavy beard.

Means also is provided for securing the carrier 28 in proper alignment with the head, to insure uniform exposure of the cutting edge 44' of the blade along the length of the guard 10. In the embodiment illustrated best in FIG. 2, the end of the head opposite the pivot pin 26 is provided with a pair of projections 46 and 48 spaced apart transversely a distance substantially equal to the width of the carrier at the clip end of the latter. The projections are positioned to receive said end of the carrier between them during closing of the carrier, to maintain the latter in proper alignment.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, an inward projection 50 is provided on the clip 32, and an aligned portion of the head at the end of the latter opposite the pivot pin 26 is cut away to form transversely spaced shoulders 52 dimensioned to receive the projection between them. A portion of the adjacent end of the backing support member 14 also is cut away to provide a notch 54 for the reception of the positioning lug 40 which extends inward from the projection 50.

As in my earlier patent, the head is connected to a handle 56 by means of a shank 58 which curves laterally outward from the longitudinal axis of the handle and is connected at its opposite end to the end of the head opposite the pivot pin 26.

The outer end of the handle may be provided with an axial bore in which a permanent magnet 60 is secured.

The outer end of the handle may be provided with an axial bore in which a permanent magnet 60 is secured.

From the foregoing it will be appreciated that the unitary assembly of the blade and carrier may be attached to the head conveniently and accurately and pivoted to the closed position in readiness for use. When the blade is no longer usable, the blade and carrier assembly is released from the closed position illustrated in FIG. 1, by pushing upward on the clip 32, pivoting the blade and carrier assembly toward the open position illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, and disengaging the hook 30 from the pivot pin 26. A new assembly of blade and carrier then may be installed upon the head.

FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred form of package for a safety razor and a plurality of blade and carrier assemblies. The container comprises a rectangular box having a bottom wall 62, end walls 64 and side walls 66. A plurality of divider walls 68 extend transversely be tween the side walls, in longitudinally spaced relation, to provide a plurality of compartments. The upper compartment 70 is dimensioned to receive the head portion of the razor. Each of the remaining compartments 72 is dimensioned to contain a blade and carrier assembly, supported therein with the blade 44 facing upward. Thus, with a blade and carrier assembly removed from the razor head, the latter is faced downward toward one of the assemblies in a compartment 72, the head tilted to allow the pivot pin 26 to enter the hook 30, and the head then pivoted downward toward the clip end of the carrier until the catch portion 34 of the clip snaps into engagement with the adjacent side 36 of the head. The assembled razor then may be removed from the compartment.

The intermediate transverse walls 68 of the container are provided with notches 74 spaced appropriately to receive the shank 58 and handle 56 of the razor for storage. In this position the shank and handle overlie the plurality of blade and carrier assemblies contained in the compartments 72. A cover (not shown) may be provided for the container, as will be understood.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made in the size, shape, type, number and arrangement of parts described hereinbefore, including those disclosed in my earlier patent, without departing from the spirit of this invention.

Having now described my invention and the manner in which it may be used, I claim:

1. A safety razor, comprising:

a. a handle,

b. a laterally elongated head supported by the handle,

a laterally elongated blade carrier,

a razor blade mounted on the carrier,

a pivot pin on one end of one of said head and carrier and an open hook on the corresponding end of the other of said head and carrier arranged to receive said pin freely therethrough for detachably securing the carrier to the head for pivotal movement on the axis of said pin to a position overlying the head, with the razor blade interposed therebetween, and

f. means on the opposite end of the head and carrier for releasably securing the carrier to the head in said overlying position.

2. The safety razor of claim 1 wherein the pivot pin is on the head and the open hook is on the carrier. 

1. A safety razor, comprising: a. a handle, b. a laterally elongated head supported by the handle, c. a laterally elongated blade carrier, d. a razor blade mounted on the carrier, e. a pivot pin on one end of one of said head and carrier and an open hook on the corresponding end of the other of said head and carrier arranged to receive said pin freely therethrough for detachably securing the carrier to the head for pivotal movement on the axis of said pin to a position overlying the head, with the razor blade interposed therebetween, and f. means on the opposite end of the head and carrier for releasably securing the carrier to the head in said overlying position.
 2. The safety razor of claim 1 wherein the pivot pin is on the head and the open hook is on the carrier. 